a banana before bed

so i have been researching things that might help me sleep

some are realistic and others not so much

i dont really want to take any kind of pills if possible

i know codeine works fine, but it is not an actual answer to the problem

and the same for other sleep aids,

they are really only an addiction that doesnt need to be formed

(at least in my opinion)

the general consensus of most things i read was: eat dinner early,

get moderate amounts of exercise, have a consistent bedtime and

wake time, and avoid caffeine after 4pm

the only thing i really do off that list is get enough exercise!

hence the new regime, a banana before bed

i am going to try it and see if it works at all for me

my basic understanding is it helps kick in your melatonin to get you off to sleep

it certainly can't hurt,

although not everyone would want to consume the sugar right before bed

but to be fair i usually have a biscuit and tea anyways,

so that is certainly an improvement

so here are some other assorted facts that i came across in my search for information:

According to ninemsn.com.au: If we look at the milk and bananas combo, milk has amino acids. In the brain that's converted to serotonin — a calming hormone. Bananas have carbs. When you add carbs to the amino acids it boosts the serotonin levels in the brain. That's important because serotonin becomes melatonin — the hormone that triggers sleep.

And according to fruitfuloffice.com: Bananas contain an amino acid called tryptophan which is thought to convert into a calming and sleep-inducing chemical in the brain called serotonin, states the NHS.The yellow fruits also contain vitamin B12, which experts believe could help to combat insomnia and also trigger endorphins – otherwise known as feel-good brain chemicals – which have a relaxing effect to reduce stress.

In addition, livestrong.com advocates yoghurt! Not all yogurts provide the same sleep benefits, so being choosy is important when eating yogurt as a bedtime snack. Avoid versions that are high in sugar because they interfere with blood sugar levels, causing a spike that may counteract the tryptophan in the yogurt, according to AskDrSears.com. Look for options that are naturally low in sugar or buy plain yogurt and combine it with naturally sweetened foods, such as fruit. In addition, a high-protein meal too close to bedtime may wake your brain up, so look for yogurts that don't contain a huge amount.